Field Scientist, Educator, Mentor: The Many Roles of Dr. Melissa Kjelvik (Uselman)
by V Heisser |
Bringing together academic expertise, hands-on teaching experience, and a love for place-based education, Dr. Melissa Kjelvik (Uselman) serves as the Marine Natural Resources Technician (MNRT) program coordinator at Prince William Sound College (PWSC).
Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Management from Northland College in Wisconsin, where she focused on field-based aquatic studies. She went on to complete graduate work at Michigan State University, researching juvenile bluegill sunfish and how differences in boldness influence growth and survival. During this time, she also co-developed “Data Nuggets,” an educational program designed to help students engage with scientific data—a focus that continues to shape her career today.
While she was working remotely for Michigan State University, her husband accepted a position at the Solomon Gulch Hatchery, and they moved to Valdez in 2021. She quickly connected with Dr. Amanda Glazier, assistant professor at PWSC, based on their shared interests. What began as curiosity about the local environment and the college's classes soon developed into a role supporting grant-funded courses and student research opportunities.
At PWSC, Melissa teaches and coordinates programs that immerse students in real-world experiences. She has twice served as adjunct faculty for a field course in Seward, Alaska, and will lead it again this year alongside mariculture specialists at the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute. She also mentors independent student research projects, including monitoring at the college's oyster farm, and helps students link classroom concepts with practical fieldwork.
Melissa is deeply committed to education and student empowerment, both locally with the college and nationally through her continued work as co-founder of the Data Nuggets program. She encourages students to use data to understand their environment and advocate for themselves, fostering critical thinking and data literacy skills that serve them well beyond the classroom.
Her personal interests are equally hands-on and creative. She enjoys caring for houseplants to brighten Alaska’s long winters and creates layered landscape scenes through needle felting—a craft she began during the pandemic and previously sold at an artist cooperative in Wisconsin.
Melissa’s journey from Wisconsin to Alaska reflects her ability to take risks, embrace changes, and explore new environments with enthusiasm. Her scientific knowledge, practical skills, and natural curiosity align seamlessly with Alaska’s unique opportunities, shaping a life deeply engaged with the natural world.